James Rodriguez Will Reportedly Impact Dani Ceballos' Potential Real Madrid Move

Real Madrid's ability to offload James Rodriguez this summer will reportedly affect whether Dani Ceballos is brought into the team this year or allowed to remain with Real Betis on loan next season, should he sign for Los Blancos. 

According to Marca's Jose Felix Diaz, the two deals are "intrinsically linked," and Ceballos' capture "would serve to guarantee the end of James' Real career," but with Rodriguez yet to be sold the Betis starlet is "left to watch and wait" to see where he will be next season. 

Real are holding firm on their €75 million valuation, though, and Rodriguez also has to sign off on any potential suitors.

The 25-year-old joined Los Merengues in 2014 on the back of an outstanding FIFA World Cup campaign, in which he won the golden boot with six goals, including this stunning strike:

Rodriguez's productivity in terms of goals and assists is exceptional. Despite starting just 20 matches in all competitions last season, he racked up 11 and 13, respectively.

He's not a natural fit in Real's system, however, as his inclusion either requires one of the front three or the midfield three to be dropped. 

Their attackers are virtually untouchable, and in midfield, sacrificing Casemiro—perhaps the most expendable of the trio—means losing balance and defensive stability in front of the back four.

Ceballos would face a similar problem, but the 20-year-old would not expect to start every match at a club like Real at this stage, whereas James is entering the prime of his career.

The former is a real handful with the ball at his feet, per WhoScored.com:

Real will reportedly face competition for his signature from Barcelona, per The Guardian's Sid Lowe, but football writer Rafael Hernandez does not believe the Blaugrana are actually in the race to sign him:

According to Diaz, Real could pay slightly more than his €15 million release clause to secure his signature, as they did when buying Theo Hernandez from Atletico Madrid.

Remaining at Betis for another year would likely be beneficial for his development, but if Real want to sell James this summer to make way for his arrival, they may need to come down on his valuation.

Rodriguez is a top talent, but few clubs can afford such a fee and fewer still will be prepared to spend that much given he has only enjoyed a squad role at the Santiago Bernabeu.